Apparatus for testing the leakage qualities of blanks



Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

@WX III:

L. GERHARDT.

Arwmmusron TESTING THE LEAKAGE QuALmEs oF BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23,-1917. 1,359,799

L.'GERHARDT.

l APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE LEAKAQE QUALITIES 0F BLANKS.' Y

APPLlcATloN FILED ocT. 23, 1917.v

y L. GERHARDT. APPARATUS FOB TESTING ,THE LEAKAGE QUALITIES 0F BLANKS. L

APPLICATTON FILED 0CT.23, 1917-' L. GERHRDT. APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE LEAKAGE OUALITIES 0F BLANKS.

` 'v APPLICATION FILED OCT-23, |917- 1,359,799. Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

` 9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

L. GERHARDT. I APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE LIAKAGE QUALITIS 0F BLANKS. l APPLICATION FILED OCT- 23, 19]?. 1,359,799. l Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

L. GERHARDT.

vAPPARATUS FOR TESTING THE LEAKAGE QUALITIES 0F BL/INKS.

I Im

Il II I l --I l I I I APPLICATION FILED OCT-23, 1917- Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

/ "III gg s@ 65 Imm,

m1, ido

L; GERHARDT.

APPARATUS FORTESTING THE LEAKAGE QUALITHES- OF BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 23, 1911.

1',359,799 Y mma Nov. 23, 1.920.

9 SHEETS-*SHEET 7.

L. GERHARDT. APPARATUS FOR ESTING THE LEAKAGE QUALITIES 0F BUNKS. APPLlcATloN FILED ocT. 23, |917.

1,359,799. Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

' L. GERHARDT.

APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE L EAKAGE QUALITIES 0F BLANKS. APPLICATION FILED ocT. 2a, 1917.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

697ML C narran. sriirrgs entrant ferries.

LiioNiiiinv GniaiiiiaDT, or BALTiifioeE, MARYLAND, AssicNon To, TIN DEcoaATINGf COMPANY, or BALTiivioien, niaariinnn, A eciaroaATioN or ifi.Linrnfinn` APPARATUS ron TnsTiNs Ti-i'n Lniiiinen oUALijTins or enanas.

i l Application filed October 23, 1517. Serial No. 198,064.

To all whom't may concern Be it known that l, LnoNARD Gnniiarnr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented new and useful improvements in Apparatus for Testing the 'Leakage Qualities of Blanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in leak-testing mechanisms, pertaining more vpartcula.rly to mechanisms for this purpose adapted to provide for large capacity operations and automatically.

The present invention, While adapted `for other uses, is designed more particularly for testing blanks, such, for instance, as screw caps for cans of various kinds. (laps for this purpose are of the imperforate type, remaining in such form until it is desired to initially open the can vwhereupon the can caps are inevitably produced and since the caps are intended to be employed iny connection With cans Vofimperforate character, itis practically essential that the -imperfect caps should be discarded. Since it is often the case that imperfections inthe cap are not discernible by the naked eye, it is desirable that the caps be tested in other Ways prior to being secured in position on the can. Since this practically involves handling each cap separately, it will be readily seen'that any attempt to provide the essential tests for each of the caps produced by a achineof large capacity, becomes a serious problem. ln addition, Vthe particular configuration is generally suchas to prevent the use of the usual type of testing mechanisins.

`This problem is solved by apparatus such f as is disclosed herein, in Whiclithe various instrumentalities are so arranged that each canl is subiected to predetermined testing operations and automatically rejected or passed, the caps following each other in city conditions.

trating interior parts.

,. capable of handling the output of large capacity forming machines.

'lhe'tests for this type of blank are made by yair under pressure, each cap being indi-y ater value than that which the capmay being suoli that a cap found imperfect -as to ble*operates a suitable mechanism and pre-L pares it for cooperation 1vvith discharge' mechanism 'for removing the imperfect cap; on the contrary, if the cap is found'perfect,l the mechanismwill act to maintain such discharge mechanism inactive, the perfect cap, then being discharged from the` apparatus'V by separate discharging mechanism.

T he objects of the invention are therefore the provision of mechanism fo'rproducing dually subjected to a fluid pressure of I, A g 60,r

subjected to in use, the arrangelnentsy Specification of Letters Patent. i Patented NOV. 23, 192g).

. apid successionso that themechanism is leakage qualities-even though imperceptithe proper` testing and asserting of the tested caps automatically'and under-largecapa- To these and other ends, the naturejof which will be readily understood Xas theinvention is hereinafter disclosed, said inventionl consists inthe improvedconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter fully` described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, and moreV particularly pointed n cut in the 4appendedl claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, inwhich similar reference characters indicate similar parts in yeach of the views: i e

Figure l is side elevationof one` form in which thepre'sent inventionv may be pro-` vided.

Y rig. a is i from elevation Of the' 'ptasV shown in Fig. l withV parts shown vin section and brokenl avvay for the purpose of illus- Fig; 2a is a detailsectional vievvonline of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal. lsectional vieiv of the apparatus of Figs. l and 2, taken on a plane above the major portion ofthe apparatus,

thus disclosing many of the parts'in plan vieW.

Fig. i is a view Vin elevation, vvith parts f broken away, of a Vhopper orfmagazinel y forming the supply for the'testing apparatus.l

5 is a central vertical sectional view parte shown 'in Fig. 4.

' operation.v

`ith the control er escapement mech- ,vn in different positions, the parverseiv tiental' d i cticn of feed shownbeing dne to the pai lnlar manner in which the operating pai are located in the general mechani m.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the es- Vcapement device removed from its operating Y in L ation. Y

is a View partly in elevation and t, la sec-.tien showing the lower end of the deliverychute and the mechanism employed in positioning a cap on its testing seat.

Figs. VAand 15 are similar views showing different positions of parts, Fig, 15 showing the cap as seated.y

Figs. 13a and 14;a are detail views partly in elevation 'and partly in section of the structures of `Figs. 13 and 1e respectively, the views being taken at right angles to said 'Figs 13 and 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view showing one `ofthe swinging'supports at the discharge end of the delivery chute.

Fig. 17 is a view partly insection and partly in elevation showing a cap at the testing station and undergoing the testing Fig. 1Sv is a view partly in plan and partly in section of a lportion of the vmechanism shown in Fig. 17. y Y c Fig; 19 is a perspective view of parts shown in Fig. 17.

ilig. 20 is a detail sectional view taken on rline 20-20 of Fig. 18.

VvFig. 21 is a view'partly in elevation and partly in'section of mechanisms operative at .the discharging station for'leaky caps or blanks.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view, partly,

broken away, of parts shown in Fig. 21.

i Fig. 23 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section of mechanism operative at the discharging station for test-proof caps, the discharging element being shown as having entered the capito be discharged.

Fig. 2a is a similar view with the discharging element shifted and in the act of dropping the cap outfof the machine.

Fig. 25 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a safety device.

In Vthe embodiment shown in the drawings, the blank being tested is an imperferate screw cap of the typeV shown in Fig. 22, the cap being` formed automatically by suitable mechanism (not forming part of the present invention), thecap having its centrai portion depressed and shaped to provide the threads on to which the cover cap is adapted to be screwed, the cover cap not being disclosed herein as yit is not necessary that it be tested.

. in order to betterunderstand the detail description, a brief general description of the cycle of operations is given.

During the actualtesting, Ythe cap is positioned as in Fig. 17, the flanges extending between clamping members adapted to provide a sealing contact therewith, the central portion of the cap extending d0wn-.

wardly as shown in said iigure, the structural elements being arranged for operation with the cap in this position.

To provide for large capacity operations and to permit of complete automatic action, the testing and assorting operations areV arranged to Y take place while the blanksin the present embodiment shown as the screw caps-@are supported on a turret-like structure mounted to have a stepby-step movement on a vertical axis, thus providing what may be considered as stations at which the specific operations take place, the turret having a number of similar blank-carri ing members on its top,`these members being spaced apartand arranged so that each blank passes through one of two cycles of operations while it is being carried en the turret. Another characteristic isthe fact that. the various instrmnentalities are i so arranged that the period during which ac^ tion is had at each active-station is concurrent at the several stations, so that the various operations can be provided and controlled by the reciprocating movements of a single element, the blank passing through the several active stations in succession, the arrangement being such that at each reciprocation of the actuating element, a'blank is delivered to the turret and a blank is tested; similarly a blank is passed from the turret, either-as a perfect or as an imperfect blank, for each reciprocation, although not necessarily with each such reciprocation.

The blanks are delivered to a magazine in any desi-red way and are'taken from this magazine and delivered in succession to an escapement structure which releases' the blanks at successive intervals-in synchro-- nism with the testing operations-each blank passing toa point where it is deliv- `ered and positioned on one of the blank seats leaving the blank on its"seatat rthis station.'

To permit of assurance being hadof proper positioning of the blank, the advance of the 4positioned blank to the succeeding, station may locate the blank beneath a member which is brought into Contact with the blank and which will tend ,tocorrect any slight inispositioning'of the blank.

. Thepositioiied blank is then advanced eitherfdirectly or,v as indicated in the draivings, through'a number of inactive stations, to the testing station,1where a clamping elenient is brought into contact with the opposite face of th blank'to complete a sealing contact lwith the blank,..after which compi seed is admitted for a short interval. lf the blank is not free from leaks, even though small, a sufficient amount of air passes through the f blank and, passing through a series of passages, becomes effective oii a plunger which shifts a yguard which controls a recess in the turretthe shifting movement uncovering this opening.

vlf-the 'blank is perfect, no leakage of air' the blanks are supported free from cial action. f

The cjecting action' at the discharge sta-.

tion is by a. blast of compressedl air, this air being admitted to the under face of the blank only in the event that the blank was found imperfect, no air being ladmitted where the blank was. found perfect atthe Y testing station. 'Hence the eiecting action is controlled through control of the admission of compressed vairfat this station, and this control is provided by the position of the guard member referred to. lf the coinpletion of the cycle 'at the testing station causes t1 eturret opening to be uncovered or uiigu ed, a member atr tliedischarge station is permitted to move a distance'suificient to opena vc'ontrolling valveto tlie'coinpresse-flair supply, thus blowing the blank from its seat. lf this turret opening `was left covered or guarded in the testing station, the guard acts to prevent sufficient movement'of this member to open the valve,

Hence thecycleof operationsl at the testing station has determined whether or not activity is to'be' had at this discharge or eject- .tionsare completed rapidly, taky ino station, theimperfect blanks being ejected at this station and the perfect blanks remaining in positionaiid being advanced to a succeeding station-'the blank discharge or delivery stationwhere a discharge or olelivery mechanism is inadefactive to grip the blank, raise it from its seat, and througha lateral swinging movement, throw the blank into a suitable channel or receptacle which takes it away fromthe apparatus. At some point durin'gtravel'V of thefturret,

in jadvance of reaching the testing station.; each guard member, after performing its function, is vbrought into the sphere of activity of a closing,instrumentality, the lat'- ter being adapted to shift those guards which'have been moved out of guarding position at the testing station, thisl instrumentality, of course, being .ineffective` on those guards which were notinoved at such stationfr i, l.. Referring fiistto Figs. l and 2, 4G designates a frame which is somewhat of the type a-pixncliv press frame, the frame carryinga cross-head 4l adapted to reciprocate in a vertical direction-through theA opera'-v tions. of a crank shaft 42, suitably driven, and a crank 43.- lf desired cross heady 41 and the parts carried thereby may be counfterweighted in any desired way, as lby employiiiga counterweight 41a connectedlby a pivotally mounted `vmlking'bea-ni 41D and i suitable linkage, to said. cross'head or parts rigidly connected thereto.; The operating parts 'of the: various instrumentalities are generally made active Veither through the movementsof the cross-header lare oper? isi-tively connected to shaft `42, .the entire apparatus kthus having Vits, operations controll-ed by the movements of shaft .For instance, theturret, indicated at 44, v

and having a vertical axis, is" mounted rotatably on the frame rand is given inter-inittent motion through suitable Ameans such, for instance, as by the action of a'mechanical movement of the typeof the' Geneva stop movement, the latter being indicated genorally at 45, the constantly moving element being carrier by a vertice'L sliaf 46 operatively connected to shaft 42 by vbevel gearrv connections `47, rotation ofishaft 46causiiigthe turret torbe advanced intermittently so as toinove the blank s' its of the turret'sucvcessively to and thiough the various stations the tui'retdwellnig while they seats are located at the stations.

For the sake of learnessvdetail descripy tion of the vseveral vinsti'unientalities ployed will follow the course 'of a blank from its entrance into theapparatus to its discharge eitherv as 'an imperfect or a" per? feet blank.

Referring to Figs. 4 to-Sninclusi'venhf designatesa niagazinefformed of asta,-lonaryA member 48 carried 'by the fraimeof the-ina;-

chine, and a member 49 pivotally supported on a spindle 50 carried by member 48.

Member 49 has a suitable cross-s'ectional the arrow in Fig. 4, by asuitable drive connection ivith shaft-42, and carries a plurality of Wings or vanes 52 Which tend, during rotation ot member 49, to break up any tendency of the blanks to become blocked and at the same time tend to produce a compartment-like effect in the chamber, enabling a freer movement ot the blanks toward the discharge points ot the chamber.

Member 48 is also formed ivith a projecting flange 49b extending parallel vwith the periphery otmember 49 practically .trom the top of the member to its bottom (Fig. 4), said flange carrying a plate 53 which completes a channel m external ot member 49 and in communication 'with chamber m throughthe spaces provided in a flange 49a which opposes the face ot member 48. rlie tace of flange 49a is preiierablyof a more less step type (Figs. 7 and 8),.an arran nient which permits ot the tree' passage et a blank from the chamber to the channel when the blank is presented to a space in its proper feeding relation. As member rotates, the properly presented blank -will pass through the space .into channel m when such passage is permitted by the absence of a blank in the channel opposite the space.

This ability to pass the blanks is limited to that side et' the magazine -on which m ber 49 is moving donf'nivardly, the opposite side having suita le means to prevent cape ot blanks which maypass into lthe space during the upward travel ot flange 49a. It' desired, a yieldable member 54 (Fig. 4) may be mounted in the magazine to prevent escape ot the blanks during tbe earlier portion o? the downward travel of the flange, tlnis practically insuring tnat the blanks which have passed into the channel will readily and ireelymove in the direction of length of the channel amL pass into'the delivery chute lwhich Yleads trom the end or such channel. Plate 58 may be i'irovided `with slots 53a to expose channel m." and enable any-blocked blanks to be moved along the channel manually desired.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3,' chute 55 ei;-

- tends downwardly and across the top ofthe turret, being spaced some distance above the latter. The chutemay have any desired 'cross-section and structural form, and is provided at an intermediaterpoint in its downwardly inclined portion with an escapement instrumentalityr of suitable form such, for instance, as shown 'in Figs. to 12, the instrumentality operatingto permit passage of blanks singly and intermittently, the escape being at a point Where gravity will provide .suilicient 4momentum to cause the blank to move to the end of the chute Without liabilityof material rebound at such end, it being desirable that each blank be located and come to rest upproximately at a predetermined point in the chute. And to aid in securing this result I prefer to locate a permanent magnet Vstructiire--indicated at .--at such chute end, said magnet tending to correct any material mispositionings of the delivered blank.

As shown in Fig. l2, the escapement structure comprises a U-shaped member 57 carrying pins 57a, these pins projecting inwardly in parallel planes from the opposite sides of memebr 57 and being spaced apart a distance approximately the length of the outer diameter of the depressed portion of the blank, as shown for instance in Fig. 10. Member 57 is slidably mounted in a'guide 58 carried by the chute (Fig. 9), said member being movable in Vdirections transverse of the direction of length of the chute with pins .57a projectingv into the channel of the chiite. The arrangement is such that recipvrocation of member 57 causes each pin to alernately enter into and pass outv of the path of travel of the depressed portion,'as shown in Figs. 10 and 11,' these views showing tli'e manner in Whiclia Vblank is segregated from the succession ot blanks being ted and permitted to escape past the escapement device.-

Member 57 is reciprocated by the action ot an eccentric 59 (Fig. 3) mounted on shaft 46 through the following connections: 60 indicates Va member pivotallyconnected at one end to the machine frame and havin e` its opposite end carried by a. pivot 61 on which one end of a member 62 is mounted, said member 62carryingthe eccentric band 62a for eccentric 59. This arrangement provides a more or less toggle-like structure Vwhich operates to give pivot 6l approximately a reciprocating movement; j Pivot also carries a rod 63 l, 2 and 9) said rod extending beneath member '57 and preferably throughr an opening57C formed in a downwardly projecting element 57h carried by member 57 said element preferably having its lower end Wedge-shapedVV and adapted to engage in a comnlemental recess termed in a member carried vby an armV 63b secured' to a member 63 adjustably'mount-v j ed on rod 63. By this arrangement, the movements of rod 63 provided bythe eccenv trie action lWill cause member 57 tobe recipl rocated in its guide, the point of connection being provided by the engagement of member 57D with ,the member carried by yieldmight be located in the path of travel of l one of thevpins 57ar during pin advancing movement, the resistance against pin advance would operate to cause member 57" to be disengaged from arm 63h.'tliiis break'- ing the drive connection for member''?, the general arrangement providing for a safety factor in this respect. Y

As shown in Fig. l, rod 63 extends from the left of the chute. For purposes of `uniformity, this relation is maintained in the sh owing of Figs. 9 to ll. This presents the apparently anomalous condition of feeding a released blank upwardly bv gravity, but it will be understood that the section of Fig. 9 is taken through the chute at a point above the escapement mechanism, and Figs. l() and 11 are therefore plan views of parts shown in Fig. 9. i l

As it mai7 be Vdesirable to provide escapement operation manually, ahandle 57d is connected to member 57 From the above it will be understood that the blanks are delivered to the magazine where they form a bulk supply, are taken from this supply individuallyA and introduced into a channel'and then pass into the delivery chute where they form a succession of blanksabove the escapement instrumentality. e The latter 'releases the blanks one ata time. one blank beingv released with each rotation of shafts 4:2 `and 46, the released blank continuing downward through the chiite and coming to rest at a'predetermined point at the` chute lower end. this point being above an opening 552L adjacent magnet 56 and through which the blank is adapted to be passed bythe positioning instrumentality now to be-'describedz- ',llurretlli is preferablvprovided with a pluralitv ofblank seats 64, these seats being carried by pedestals 65 projecting abovethe plane of the turret. The` pedestals are spaced apart at uniform distances from each other and from the axis of the turret, and

may be ofany desired number, the minimum being the number of active turret sta-` tions. ln the drawings eight pedestals are shown, three of the stationsbeing inactive, although'it is assumed that-each pedestal willreceive its blank at the -receivingsta-- tion and vcarry it successively through the cycle of operations. The' pedestal structure will be described/in` detail'hereafter. purposes of describing thevpresenting mechanisn'i,y it is smbcient-to state rthat the top the pedesta.. is provided with a central Ycavity 65a intowhich the depressed threaded For portion of the blank freely extends (Fig. T17), the pedestal also having an annular groove 65 in whichV the seat. 6 4: is secured, `Y the seat being .preferably of resilient mate# rial and extending above the top planejof the pedestal as shown in 'Fig. 17, the' blank being adapted to freely rest on this seat and freely project into vcavity 65a.

The presenting mechanism is' `designed to 1 shift the blank from chute 55 to 'position 75 d on scat 6e, and thev mechanismfor providing this action is shewnin Figs. 2, 8 and 13 to linclusive, the blank being placed in v.position on that seat-which is locatedbe-y low opening xof the chute, the presenting or'positioiiing action taking place whi'lethe turret is stationary. This position of vthe turret may be termed' the receiving station. and is indicated in F at A. The rpresenting mechanism. or iiistruinentalityshown in the drawings will lnow be described, it bef ing understood that this particular form of the instrumentality is more particularly for use with the type of blankshown and would l obviously be varied to meet Athe changed 90 conditions which would be presented where y a different form of blank or hollow article 66 designates a bracket (Fig, 3)' secured to crosshead all and movable therewith, saidv bracket having a forwardly projecting arm 66u which terminates in a lsleeve-like portion 66h having its direction of length extending vertically with its axis in vsubstantial vertical alinementwith the axis of opening 55a and 1 00 i.

the blank seat which may be positioned Abelow said opening.l Sleeve (56h-is adapted-.to receive a rod 67 which projects above and i 1 vbelow said sleeve, said rod, above the sleeve,

carrying a pair of arms 68 adjustable in the 105 direction of length ofthe rod, which arms are adapted to support a member 82 active at the succeeding station and presently referred to. Arms 68 are spaced apart, and

between sleeve 66b and the lower 'ai-m 681 110 r it permits of yielding of rod 67 fand, the 125 parts carried thereby when necessary and Valso permits of vmore or less manual control of the rod movements shouldsuch control be found necessary. It is preferred that'l rod 67 be held against rotativemovement 130 inthe sleeve, and this may be provided in any desired manner as by the use ol2 a extending in opposite directions, as shownv` in `Figs. 13 to 15. The members are normally held in separated position by suitable means, as for instance a spring 73. The upper ends of members 71 are crossed and have portions 71b which normally project outward beyond the face of rod 67 (Fig. 13).

Downward movement of rod 67 carries the lower ends of member 7l into contact with the blank positioned above opening the advancing movementA of the rod carry` ing the blank downward through the opens ing and on to a blanksupporting device, indicated generally at S positioned beneath openinga, this device being formed 4as presently described and having a seat on which the annular flange of the blank may temporarily rest. As rod 67 continues its downward movement the toes 7l1 will enter Ythe blank depression (the members moving inward during this operation against the action of spring 7 3) the result being that toes 7la will engage the interior of the blankl threads to form an e'liicient gripping con tact with the blank. At this time, the blank supporting device S is opened, as presently explained, permitting free passage of the blank--now supported on toes 71-toward seat 64. As the blank approaches its seat, parts 71b oi member 71 pass into engagement with the inclined walls 74 of a stationary member 74, this contact tending to at the time when rod 67 is at thelower end of its downward stroke. Figs. 14 and 15 indicate different positions of the gripping devicer to illustrate the action of member 71. During the return stroke of rod 67, this contact between parts 71br and walls 74a is maintained for a sufficient length of time to permit toes 71a to pass out of the blank depression, leaving the blank in position on its seat. Member 74 is adjustable so as to permit accurate timing of the reti-acting movements of member 71.

`f Supporting device S comprises a pair of members 75, one of which is shown in perspective in Fig. 16. Each member is pivotally supported on a frame carried by memyber'74, the pivot point Abeing indicated at 76 lEach member is also provided with an incircular recess 75", the upper portion of the recess being el greater radius than that of theV lower portion, said recesses combinedlyv alinement with opening 75a. are normally held in this position by a spring or springs 77. Each member also carries an .inwardlyV projecting arm 7S, prei'- erably having a roller 78a, the two rollers being located in the path of travel of a plate 79 located on the lower end of a rod 80, said rod being yieldably. supported in a sleeve 81 carried by a plate or collar 82 mounted on sleeve 66h. This arrangement causes sleeve S1 to move in `unison with sleeve 6G", and during the downward movement of these sleeves, plate 79 passes into contact with roller 73.1 with 'the result that continued movement o'iplate 79 operates to open members 75 from the position shown infFig. 13, to that shown in Fig. 14a', this opening action being Yagainst the tension of spring 77, the yielding support of rodV 8O permitting the latter to move in sleeve 81 as may be desired. This-opening action takes place Vthe axis of the combined recessin axial Members 75 after the blank has been gripped, as heretotore explained, vpermitting the blank to pass downward Yto its seat. DuringV the return stroke of sleeve 66h, the movement of plate 7 9 permits member 75 to again close under the-action of spring 7 7 .f v

This operation completes the cycle at station A, placing the blank onto its seat. The turret is then advanced, locating this blank beneath a member 83 carried at the lower end of a rod S4 supported by arms 68, thus causing member 83 to have its movements in unison with the Vmovements of rod 67. `Member 83 may' be omitted, it desired, but when employed tends to straightentlie cap which had been positioned at station. A, should such blank have been improperly p0- sitioned or materially shifted when the gripping device 'was being released. For identi- Jtying purposes, this point in the travel of the blank may be considered as station`B, this straightening action taking place on one blank at the same time another blank is being positioned at station A on the succeeding pedestal. Y

The neXt station at which action ris had in connection with the positioned blank is what may be termed the testing station, this station being indicatedat C in Fig. 3. As will be seen from this ligure,'the blank is carried through three intermediate stations before reaching the testing station, these intermediate stations being inactive stations, no work being performed at these stations, and may, if desired, be omitted by properly drawings bein stations and B as well as permit straightening of such blanks as may have been mispositioned tojsuch an extent as would prevent member 83 from correcting; it will also permit the operator to detect blankswhich otherwise are faulty in structure and remove them before reaching the instrumentalities at the succeeding active stations.

Testing of blanks is had by subjecting'the blank to the action of fluid pressure while the blank is held to its seat, the luid being admitted to cavity 65a beneath the blank, the

'integrity of the latter being indicated by its ability to prevent leakage 'of the Huid through the blank. To provide for controllable admission of fluid to a cavity at the testing station, suitable mechanism is employed, the particular type used'in the present embodiment being more particularly indicated Vin Figs. 1, 2, 3 and-17 to 20 inclusive. Referring to Fig. 17, the support `for turret 114 carries an axially extending pipe or conduit 83 connected up to a suitable source ot Huid supply under pressure, as icor instance a compressed air supply, this pipe being connected to a member 8e located cen trally on the turret. Bember '84 has a cavity 84 with which pipe 83 is in open communication, and is also provided with a plurality or" radially extending channels 8i, these channels corresponding in number to the number of pedestals 65. Fach pedestal is JIormed `with a channel 65C below cavity 65a, the cavity and channel being` in communication through a port 65d. Channel 65C oi a pedestal is connected to one of the channels 84h 'of member 84e by a. connection indicated generally at 85, this connectin 'including a valve 86 of suitable type,'that shown in the g of the butterfly type and having an operating` arm 87 which extends inwardly toward-member 84. Valve 86 is normally held closed by a springl 88. As long` as valve 86 remains closed, fluid is not admitted into cavity 652. When, however, arm 87 is roclred'downwardly, valve 86 is opened and cavity 65a` is placed in open communication with cavity 84a. v( Toviously each ot the connections thus be placed in communication with the source et A'fluid pressure supply. By means olf the valve structure, however, this pressure is made active in a cavity 65a only predetermined periods, one of which is provided at the'testing station by suitable mechanism. Thismechaeclestals to one for eachA nism, however, isvmade active only alter the bla-nir has been clamped to itsseat in order to withstand vthe pressure when admitted. To control thetime of valve opening, both the clamping mechanism and the valve operating mechanism are rendered activeby a common mechanism now to be described:

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 2EL and 3, 89 indi cates a plate member (Figs. 2 and 17) se# cured to the under face of the cross-head and prete ably having' av stud 89a projecting intor an opening formed in the cross-head, this plate member 'having an irregular contour as seen in Fig'. 2a. 90 indicates a verticalyex'- tending' member secured vto a side of' the cross-head, said member being located above plate member 89 (Figs. 1 Member 90 projects outwardly to locate a vertically extending opening 90a above a point at which a portion of lever 87 is located when at the' testing station. Opening 99a'is adapted to receive a rod 91 which is of a length greaterthanthe length of member l90 and is formed with a shoulder 91a ig. 17), this shoulder being normally located at :a point intermediate the ends of opening 90a.A The upper endo'r1 opening 90a carries a threaded bushing` which loosely surrounds rod 91, the upper end pt said rody extending through the' bushing and having its exposed end provided with lock nuts 93. A spring 94; encircling rod 91 between) shoulder 91a-and bushing` 92 tends to normally retain the rod in its lower position. The lower end rod 91 extends downwardly through an opening in plate member 89 and has a projectinp;v length sumcient to bring its lower end ineontact with the `lever 87 which may be located-beneath it, this contact being provided duringthe downward travel of the cross-head, the continuedmovement of the and 17) cros'shead causing saidrod to move the free Y end of lever 87 downwardly against the tension oi spring 88,'thus opening valve 86. Sprinoa Q'provides for yielding or rodV 91 under-excessive pressure, vit being'understood that springs 88- and 94; relatively arranged so as to provide Jor eiiicient opera- Y tion/ofthe iever without liability of damaging operating parts. l During the return movement yont the cross-head, rod 91 willbe withdrawn, and valve 86 will be closed through movement of lever V87 under the action of spring 88. i

95 designates a verti'caly extending' rodlike element supported in plate member-l 89 anda laterally projecting' plate 90b carried by the upperend of member'99, said element being loosely supported by member 89 and plate 90", passing through openings in these parts, said element carrying a collar 95arabove platemember 89 (Figs. 2 and 17), said collar normallyresting on member 89. The upper end of element 95 carries a 'guide member 96which has an arm loosely mounted in an opening in plate lthis guide member structure acting somewhat in the nature of a feather in preventing rotative movements of element 95. Mounted on element between collar 95a' and plate 90b is a spring 97 which tends to retain collar 95a in contact with member 89 but permits yielding of the element'for a purpose presently described. i

Referring more particularly to Figs. 17 to 20, element 95 extends downwardly below member 89 and has its lower end formed with an axially extending recess 95D. Said lower end also carries a member 98 having an external configuration shown more particularly in Fig. 19, said member carrying a resilient `washer-like member 99, this member 99 forming the clamping member for the blank in opposition to the blank seat 64. As heretofore pointed out, element 95l is yieldingly supported in the carrying frame provided by members 89 and 90. therefore, downward travel of the crosshead moves this carrying frame to a point where washer99 contactswiththe blank which is in position on the pedestal, the continued downward movement of the crosshead simply moves the carrying frame downward while element 95y remains stationary, this downward movement, however, increasing the tension of spring'97 and thus more firmly retaining the washer in its clamping pesition.V Obviously, the washer will be retained in position during the return movement of the cross-head until collar 95fL is again seated on member `89, whereupon the washer will' be withdrawn from contact.

It will be understood, of course, that the Y parts are so arranged that washer 99 will have an eiiicient clamping action on the blankbefore rod 91 begins its valve opening movement. Since collar 952L will have practically moved vfrom out of contact with member 89 before this occurs, it will be readily understood that during the return travel of the cross-head, rod 91 will be withdrawn sufficiently to permit valve 86 to close before washer 99 leaves its seat.

The entrance to recess 95b is restricted by a bushing 100 threaded to element 95 and extending through washer 99 (Fig. 17 Bushing 100 is provided with an opening 100FL non-circular in cross-section, being preferably of square contour. 101 designates a pin having a length greater than the length of bushing 100 and which is provided with a head located within recess 95h, the pin differing in cross-section from the cross-section of opening 1011, the cross-sectional contour of the pin being preferably circular. Pin 101 is yieldably supported against endwise movement by a spring 102 which tends tc retain the head of the pin in contact with the inner end of the bushing, the latter forming a shoulder for this head.

When

This causes the other end of the pin to bev normally projected beyond the louter end of the bushing, thelength of projection being such Vthat Vthe outer end of the 'pin passes into contact with the blank prior to the time washer 99 contacts with the blank, spring 102 permitting the pin to yield during the remainder of the downward movement of element 95.

Pin 101 will act to retain theblank on its rseat as the washer approaches the blank.

and since the blank is held Apositively by.

the resilient clamping members, an imperforate condition of the blank prevents leakage of air through any part of the blank,

Athe completion of the downward travel of element leaving the entire testing pressure as contained within the cavity beneath the blank. The upward travel of the carrying frame of element 95 yand rod 91 then closes valve 86, leaving this pressure within the cavity until element 95 reaches a position where washer 99 begins to leave its clamping position, at which time the head of pin 101 is seme distance above the inner end of bushing 100.V As a result, the blank is then' held to itsv position simply by the pressure of spring 102, and this pressure being less than that of the pressure within the cavity, the greater pressure in the cavity will tend to move the blank from its 6a suiiicient to bleed the cavity without, however, permitting the blank t0 be shifted from its position, 'this being due to the fact thatA pin 101 still bears on the blank and retains it in its general position. As a result, the blank will be practically freed from the pressure in the cavity by the time pin 101 passes out" of contact with the blank, thus leaving the blank freely resting on its seat in the position at which it was brought into the testing station.

' Where the blank being tested is found imperfect and permits leakage of the air when introduced in this manner, this air which passes through the blank reaches the cavity on the upper side of the blank (produced when washer 99 completes its clamping engagement) recess 95b through the passageway or pas sageways formed by the dissimilar crosssectional coniguration of the interior of bushing 100 and the exterior of pin 101.

As shown in Figs. 18 to 20, member 98 is formed with a laterally projecting portion 98a carrying a plunger 103 made yielding by This leakage air passes into Y moves to the testing station.

a spring 104;, said plungerjbeing movable in an opening or channel 98b formed in the projecting portion 98a. rlhe inner end of opening 98h is in communication with recess b or a passageway leading thereto by a series of channels 981 -his arrangement is such that the leakage air passes through channels 98 into opening 98 in opposition to plunger 103, causing the latter to be moved longitudinally in a direction to advance its outer end-exposed beyond portion QSH-placing spring 1011 under tension. ris

will be understood, spring 104i is of a tension which will permit of this movement of the plunger under comparatively small amounts of air leakage, but sufficient to return the plunger after the air pressure has been released. lt will be understood, of course, that after washer 99 has passed out of contact with the yblank during the upward travel of the cross-head, opening 98h, channels 98, chamber' 95b and the passageways through bushing 100 are open to the atmosphere. Y i

|This longitudinal movement of plunger 103 serves to shift the position of a guard 105 which, at the beginning ofthe testing operation, overlies a recess106 positioned at the top of turret 44, the drawings showing it as formed in a plate 44a located on top of the turret. Guard 105 is pivotally supported on plate 44a and is provided with a vertically extendingV member 105a carrying a wing 105b which is located inthe path of travel of the exposed end of plunger 108.-'

W hen, therefore, the presence of an imperfect blank on the pedestal at the testing station has been detected by the leakage of air therethrough, the resultant movement of plunger 103 serves to shiftguard 105 from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 18 to tie position shown in full lines in said figura the completion of the testing operation, by closing valve 88, leaving the guard in the full line position.

Each pedestal has an individual guard, and each guard is in the position shown in Vdotted linespin Fig. 18 when the pedestal If the blank being tested is a perfect blank so that no leakage of air takes place, guard 105 will remain in this position and retain recess 108 covered or guarded, since the mechanism forA moving the guard is not brought into activity.' When, however, an imperfect blank is present, the leakage of air operates these rions parts to shift the guard and uncover said recess 106 which remains in its shifted position for a purpose presently described.

1n order to return the shifted guards to their guarding or covering position, any suitable means may be'employed, as for instance a brush 107 (Figs. 1 and 2), preferably located at some point in the path of travel of the guards between the point where y collecting point.

`the guard shifting action has been made effective as a controlfactor andthe point where the guard entersthe' testing station.

ln the drawings' .this is shown as beinglo-l cated at a pointin proximity to the testing i station so as to insurethat all guards are in their lisiopeiposition in entering such station.

s heretofore indicated, the inventionis designed not only to test the blanks but also to provide a separation or asserting of the perfegt 'blanks from those which have been found to be imperfect, the imperfect blanks being collected at one station and the perfect-1 blanks at another station.k vrllhe discharging stations for the two classes of blanks in the travel of a pedestal are respectively thedischarge station for the imperfect blanks (staperfect blanks (station u rllieselection of the station at which a blank is to be discharged is provided at the lng station, the controlling element being t'i'on- D) and the dischargeA station for the the guard 105 which, in the full line position of Fig. 18, permits the discharging mecha- Vnism at the imperfect blank-discharge station to become active to discharfe'the blank from the pedestal ;k with guard 105 unshift-V ed-the dotted lineposition of Fig. 18-this discharge mechanism at theimperfect blank discharge station is held inactive,v permitting the bla-nk to remain on the pedestal and `be carried` tothe` perfect-blank discharge station., where the mechanism of that station .v will ,remove the blank' from its pedestal and *1 discharge it,` the mechanism yat this latter station having its complete:cycle of; mecha- .nisnr operations provided with each pedestal presented at the Vstatiombeing effective, of

course, only with thoseltested blanks whichk have reached this station. .Y f

Since the station in succession to the testing stationstation vD--is that for4 the disv charge of the imperfect blanks, itl-,willv be assumed, for purpose of explanation, that thellO 'blanks have been found Yimperfect at the testing station and that guard 105 has been moved to uncover recess 106. f These conditions, 'when'station -D yis reached, permit -an element atsuch station to 'operate ylever 87 to again open valve 186this action permitting the entrance ofthe compressed air blank.

.into cavity 64 against `the under side of the Since the blank is not clamped vat, this station, this admission of the air under frame ofthey machineand which' carries ears 1082, these ears being-adapted to receive-the Y pivot for a lever 109 projecting outwardly ILC)A with a configuration approximating that indicated inFig. 22, and which is provided with a down turned end or arm 109a which is. positioned above lever 87 of the pedestal whichV may be located at this station, the configuration of lever 109 being such that the turret may have free movement beneath rthis lever and locate the free end of the lever beneath arm 109""-. This lever 109 also carries a projection or linger 109b which is positioned at such pointfso as to enter recess 106 in case the recess is uncovered by guard 105, as indicated in Fig. 21. Should this recess 106 be covered by the guard, (as in the dotted line position of Fig. 17) the end of the Yprojection or linger 109b will contact with guard 105 and prevent downward movement ofrlever 109 to an extent sufficient to cause valve 86 to open. When, however, projection or finger 109b is permitted to enter the recess 106b, lever 109 is moved a distancefsuiicient to rock lever 87 and open valve 86 to permit entrance of the air into cavity 64.

Lever 109 is supported at its forward end bya spring 110. (Fig. 2) which normally retains the lever in 'raised position. The downward movement of lever 109 is provided by suitable mechanism, the following description being that of the form shown in the drawings:

111 designates a rock shaft supported in ears l108b .of bracket 108, this shaft having at one end an arm 11,2 extending forwardly to a position above lever 109 and preferably having at its free end a roller 112a which is in contact with said lever 109. The oppositeend of shaft 111 is provided with a member 11'3 having ears 1131 secured to the shaft and also'having a shoulder 113b below the shaft axis. Looselymounted on shaft 111, preferably between ears 11i-3a, is an arm or lever 114 of irregular shape and which Y projects-forwardly Yto a point where its free 'between these parts. -member 113 will, through its connection with end-'K-preferably carrying a roller 114a-is located to cooperate with a cam 115 mounted on shaft `46. Arm or lever 114 is yieldingly supported by a spring116 which extends between this arm or lever and shoulder 1131. Cam 115 is provided with a hig'h point 115a effective inproviding a sharp and rapid downward movement of arm or lever 114, the lever being maintained in this downward position fora short periodand then 1 permitted to return to normal position.

.As will be readily understood, downward movement of lever 114 willtend to move member 113 through the spring connection Thisl movement of shaft 111, move arm 112 down-ward, when lever 109 isv permitted to have its-full length of movement by the entrance of finger 1091 yinto recess 106. `However`,` should recess 106 kbe-guarded,-lever 109 will be prevented from inactivity of plunger` 103.

moving downwardly, thus preventing Ycom- Lplete downward movement of arm 112, the

result' being" that member 113 is practically held from movement, and the movement of arm ler lever 114 will simply compress spring" 116, thus -permitting of the operation of cam 115 and-arm or lever 114 with each revolution Vof shaft 46, but the movement of lever109 and arm 112 is madeV dependent on the position of guard r105. This particular mechanism therefore permits of proper operation under either condition withoutliability of damage to parts.

117 indicates a chute'havinga forwardly7 extending portion 117a with a mouth open above the blank when the pedestal is in this station D. This chute is of any desired configuration, andis designed in such manner that the air beneath the blank, introduced suddenly and under pressure will practically blow the blank from its seat into this chutewith sufficient power to carry it to a point where it may drop into a suitable collecting structure. In this connection, the fact that lever 114 is moved vdownwardly with rapidityunder lthe action of cam 115 becomes of value, in that valve 86 is opened uickly and thus kpractically introduces the iuli force of the air into the cavity below the seated cap.

V-liom the above it 'will be understood that the discharge of a blank fromA its pedestal atV station D is determined at station the testing station-through the activity or A blank found imperforate at station C prevents thevsupply of air necessary to give plunger 103 its movement and leaves guard 105 in its guarding position. Then the `pedestal advances to station D, the presence of the guard prevents movement of lever 109 to open valve 861 and the blank therefore remains in posi-tionV on its pedestalfpassing onward to vthe succeeding station. f `Where, however, leakageV of air through the blank is hadat station C, plunger 103 is shifted and moves the guard to uncover recess 106, thereby permitting the mechanism at station D to become active and discharge the blank at this station in a manner heretofore indicated. Hence, station C forms a selection station by means of which the blanks can be properly assorted, station C testing the blank for imperfections and determin- 'ingV the activity orinactivity of the mechanism at station D, station D having its activity dependent upon the operations provided at station C. Consequently, station C not only becomesk a testing station but, in addition, practically forms the assorting station in that the operations at this station determine the question of whether or not the blank will be `discharged at the succeeding station or will pass such latter station to vbe discharged or removed @t a later point.

tioned at this station. l/here the blank has been removed at station D, the operation of the mechanism at station E provides noV result, since the blank had previously been removed. Hence, the mechanism at this station, while passing through its cycle of operations is inactive on a tested blank. Where, however, selection at station (l causes the blank to pass by station D, the discharging mechanism at station E grips the blank, raises it from its seat, and discharges it laterally into a suitable receptacle. This mechanism at station E is shown more particularly in detail in Figs. 23 to 25, and is now described.

Mounted on bracket 66 is a member 118 on which the discharging or ejecting mechanism at station E is supported: Member 118 is a composite member having a vertical length greater than the similar length of bracket 66 at the point where member 118 is mounted, plate 118'r1 havingv laterally projec ing plates 118b at its upper and lower edges, the upper plate or extension 118 projecting over the top face of bracket 66 (Fig. 3). Obviously plates 118a and 118b may be formed as an integral structure.

Member 118 is yieldingly supported on bracket 66, the latter having a recess 66c to receive a spring 119, one end of which is seated at the bottom of recess 66, the other end being in Contact with lower plate or ei;- tension 11,8b (Figs. 23 to 25). 1200 designates a pair of pins which extend vertically through the plates or extensions 118", these pins either spanning bracket 66 or extending through openings formed in thebracket as may be found most desirable.

This arrangen'ient provides for normally holding member 118 in position with the upper extension 118b in Contact with the top of the bracket (Fig. 25), this position being maintained during the vertical travel of bracket 66 with the cross-head excepting when resistance is encountered during the downward travel of the bracket, whereupon member 118 will yield upwardly, the member resuming its normal position when freed from this resistance.

Member 118 is provided with a laterally extending stud 120 on which is mounted a swinging member 121. this member having its lower end arranged to provide for more or less resiliency, the drawings showing this end as being in the form of a plurality of fingers 1212*. These fingers have an exten nal configuration adapted to combinedly produce a rib formation 121b at a point spaced from the lower end ofthe fingers, and a rib formation 121C at such lower end. Rib formation 121C acts to contact the inner face of the depressed Aportion of the blank (Fig. 23) and thus grip the blank for removal from its seat, this action taking place as the cross-head is approaching its lower cxtreme of movement, member 121 at this time, extending vertically as in Fig. 23, the resiliency of the fingers permitting this rib formation to readily enter the depression of the blank and spread out after such entrance. Through the yielding action of member 118, this positioning action of the fingers is had without liability of damaging either the mechanism or the blank.

As shown in Fig. 23, member 121 noi mallyv extends vertically, the weight of the member tending to produce this result, in addition to which a spring 122 tends to maintain this position, a shoulder 118c on member 118 forming a stop to prevent move ment of member 121 under the action of spring 112, beyond the vertical. -l-ience, bracket 66 willA carry member 121 in 'this position during the bracket movements, the downward movementv engaging the blank, the succeeding upwardl movement raising the blank from its scat. 1

To discharge the raised blank, member 121 is swung on its pivot and, during the entr-.fard swinging movement of the arm, the fingers are contracted so'as to release the engagement between/rib formation 121Cy and the blank, the Yresult being that the blank is practically thrown or cast from member 121.

The swinging action of member 121 is providedby Contact of a face 121d of member 121 with a stop 123 during the upv-fard travel of the bracket, stop 123 being carried by a stationary part of the machine, as for instance brace 124, the stop depending from suoli brace and preferably carrying a roller 123L at its lower end. Stop 123 is so located with respect to stud 120 that when contact is had between face' 121d and roller 123, upward travel of bracket 66 causes a cam-like action effective on member 121 to swing the member so as to cause its lowerend to move outwardly, spring 122 forming a tensionmember which serves to prevent violent swinging of the member under this action, thus producing a member movement which is of considerable rapidity but which is more or less uniform due to the fact that substantially throughout the swinging move" ment contact is had between face 121d and roller 123% spring 122 tending to maintain this condition.

To cause the finger actuation for release of the blank, I employ a sleeve 125 shiftable in the direction of length of member` 121., thisv sleeve having its 'lower end provided with a configuration which coperates with 

